Canada-Russia Series Rosters Announced

For the 14th consecutive year, the Canadian Hockey League will host the Canada-Russia Series and a Londoner and a London Knight will be taking part.

London’s Mitch Vande Sompel plays for the Oshawa Generals and was named to the team that will face Team Russia in North Bay on November 10th. Knights’ defenceman Victor Mete was named to Team OHL for the game on November 14th in Hamilton.

Their inclusion means that both players are on Canada’s radar for the World Junior Hockey Championship. The annual series of six games gives Team Canada another chance to evaluate the talent that could represent this country on its biggest international junior stage. Two games will be played against Team QMJHL and two others against Team WHL

The Canada-Russia series began in 2003. The first ever game was played in London.

For the first seven years, the series was not overly competitive. The CHL swept all six games three times and won the overall title every year.

Russia rarely sent the players who would make up their World Junior roster.

Since then, the two countries have alternated series victories, but the OHL has always done well. They lead the other two major junior leagues with a record of 22-3-1.

In 2015, the series did not have a title sponsor, but CIBC has joined for 2016.